ITMA will function in a partnership with IMAF, USMAF, USJJF and USA-TKJ for the benefit of all its members and their arts. To qualify for membership the Institute requires that members hold black belt rank (or equivalent) in at least one traditional, or traditionally-based martial art from such countries of origin as Japan, China, Korea, and the like. Such ranks must be validated by IMAF, or USJJF, or USMAF, or USA-TKJ.

ITMA Membership and Fees

Membership in ITMA is FREE. While ITMA will not issue Promotion or Rank Validation certificates, ITMA members may qualify for (i) Club Recognition Certificates, (ii) Chapter Regional Director Certificates, (iii) Board of Adviser Certificates, and (iv) ITMA Membership Cards. These are free but there is a

shipping cost of $6 (in USA) and $10 (for abroad)

1. Selected ITMA members may be invited to head up ITMA Chapters (as Directors) in all major regions in the US, and abroad. Their function is to organize their own local Friendship Seminars and help promote ITMA in their Region/Country. ITMA Chapter Directors in the US and Abroad will organize their own optional summer camps and professional development seminars, as needed. This may be done on a purely voluntary basis

2. Local Chapter Directors may be requsted to assist in the implementation of a martial arts minor (or major), or an area of concentration, in universities in the US, and around the world. However, such participation is voluntary

3. ITMA will advertise on its national website the activities, events and accomplishments of individual clubs in the US, and Abroad, and help with marketing, promotion and student recruitment, using websites and Social Media.

4. ITMA, in colleboration with MAIF, USJJF, USMAF and US-TKJ will help promote the study, teaching and research of traditional martial arts, and their application in the modern world

5. ITMA, collaboration with MAIF, etc., will help establish and promote a sense of community among diverse martial arts systems and participants in the United States and internationally (e.g., through Friendship Seminars; Workshops/Clinics, summer camps, research and publications, etc.). The ultimate goal is to establish a martial arts network (called martialnet) that will serve as a resource for all martial artists in the network

6. To develop Outreach Programs that help benefit the young (especially at risk youth), and other critical populations, and help embed and promote legitimate traditional systems in schools, communities, clubs, universities, the police, security agencies, and the like

7. To develop instructional material and videos on the technical, historical, psychological and philosophical aspects of the martial arts

Special Initiatives

1. Conduct reasearch on the effects of martial arts training on the individual and society (Committee Members: Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., Robert Baker, Ph.D., Greg Kane, Ph.D., Alex Lyras, Ph.D., and Sensei Kostas Dervenis, MS, among others)

2. Engage in collaborative relationships with several universities such as Tsukuba University in Japan, and Georgetown University in the United States, to pursue such initiatives as Olympics for Humanity. Dr. Alex Lyras, Director. More on this at a later date

3. To help improve the Quality of Life through the study and practice of traditional martial arts, especially as lifetime forms of physical activity, by conducting Friendship Seminars, clinics, demonstrations and other forms of outreach activity

4. To develop an organizational structure that helps contribute to professional development, and provides additional certification for instructors in specialized areas, such as Taiho Jutsu, among others.